Forum-Nexus Information and Resources for Study Abroad Advisors

Welcome! The below information will help you to learn more about Forum-Nexus Study Abroad as a third-party provider study abroad option for your students. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at info@forum-nexus.com.

About Forum-Nexus

We are a niche program provider specializing in multi-country summer programs. Our Ultimate Summer in Europe 2021 itinerary includes England, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Switzerland. With over 30 years of experience in international education, we are proud to offer a study abroad opportunity that is unique, life-changing, and all-encompassing.

Academics

During our summer programs, all students participate in a selection of classes and earn 3-9 credits. Our courses are taught by a team of international professors who travel with the program from one destination to the next. Students receive a consistent academic experience in a changing environment, stimulating their creativity and critical thinking skills. Classes are held in the conference center of our hotels, or at a host university.

All students participate in our International IQ Seminar, taught by our Program Director, Dr. Hugo Hervitz. This daily session is designed to provide students with an overview of the history, geography, culture, language, and characteristics of each city/country they visit during the program. The seminar contributes to a student’s overall study abroad experience by ensuring an immersive and in-depth understanding in a meaningful and practical way. Our goal is to increase each student’s International IQ by the end of their summer abroad with us.

Credits for the Forum-Nexus courses are issued by one of our sponsoring institutions: Franklin University in Switzerland, IQS School of Management in Spain, and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy. We have long-standing relationships with these universities and visit each campus during our European itinerary.

In summer 2021, students may elect to receive their transcripts from FUS or UCSC. If your institution has a preference, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate it.

Accommodations and Transportation

Due to the traveling nature of our program, our accommodations are in hotels across Europe. The students, faculty, and staff team stay at the same hotel in each city. The hotels are located in safe, central areas, near public transportation and facilities such as medical clinics, grocery markets, laundromats, banks/ATMs, and pharmacies. Students are made aware of all nearby resources in documents we distribute prior to each destination called the “City Essentials.”

Rooms are either double or triple occupancy, depending on the hotel, and roommate requests are taken for each city of the program. Breakfast each morning is included in the program fees as well.

Transportation between cities is coordinated by the Forum-Nexus staff team. Students are responsible for booking their flights to and from the program, as well as their transportation from Rome to Rhodes during the program. We provide a recommended flight, however this option is flexible because students are permitted to take weekend excursions to other destinations. For example, a student may depart Rome on Friday to go to Athens, and then travel from Athens to Rhodes on Sunday to meet the program there. Students participating in weekend excursions are responsible for their own arrangements, and are required to complete a form to let our staff know exactly where they will be, how they will be traveling (train, flight, etc.), when, and where they are staying in that destination.

Health, Security, and Safety Abroad

The health and safety of our students is our number one priority. We ensure a safe and detail-oriented itinerary that minimizes risks while providing our students with an amazing and diverse study abroad experience.

Our on-site staff team is available 24/7 in the event of any emergency. We are prepared to accompany students to the hospital in the event of a medical concern, or arrange for an immediate change our itinerary at the last moment in the event of a safety-related issue. All Forum-Nexus students are provided with an insurance policy including coverage for medical, emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, security evacuation, trip interruption, and other conditions.

In our pre-departure orientation guide, we address health and safety with students and families, as well as during our orientation program on the first day of the program. We advise our students about the ways to navigate transportation, nightlife, crowded areas, and other potentially risky scenarios. We discuss strategies for mental health as well. Prior to the program, we also require that students complete a confidential medical questionnaire so that our team is aware of any medications, allergies, conditions, and concerns.

Each city and country on our program itineraries has been vetted for safety concerns and is designated as a level 1 or 2 destination by the U.S. Department of State. We encourage students to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to the start of the program as well. In the event of a crisis, our first step is to confirm the safety and location of each student and ensure they have received the proper communication. Next, we will alert each student’s emergency contact (with their full permission) as well as their university emergency contact.

Financial Aid

Many students elect to use some form of financial aid in order to pay their program fees. We encourage students to discuss their options with their study abroad and financial aid advisors. We understand that receiving aid may delay the final payment of a student’s balance. In the case of a student receiving aid that will not be disbursed until close to the program start date, we will adjust their payment schedule accordingly after receiving a completed Financial Aid Deferral Request Form.

We are happy to facilitate the processing of aid with our partner institution, Franklin University Switzerland (FUS), for private loans through Sallie Mae. Many students select this option if they are not eligible for financial aid at their home institution for the summer term.

At Forum-Nexus, we also offer financial aid in the form of our Student Assistantship Program. This is similar to a work-study opportunity in which students fulfill hours by completing tasks and projects before, during, and after the summer program and receive a scholarship in exchange. We offer need-based assistantships as well as diversity assistantships, aimed at helping students who identify with groups who are underrepresented in study abroad.

Ensuring Student Success

We realize the personal, financial, and academic commitment involved in a study abroad experience, particularly in the summertime. Our programs are thoughtfully built based on decades of experience, a commitment to excellence, and a passion for international education and awareness. We are a small organization that offers one-on-one attention to your student(s) from the moment they apply, throughout the preparation process, and during their entire time abroad. It is our goal to deliver an incredible, life-changing experience that will inspire your student(s) to bring new knowledge and skills back to their life at home and at your institution. We value your partnership in encouraging students to take the leap and study abroad!